BRIDGEWATER – Senior left-hander Gianna Novak allowed just a run on four hits, walked two and struck out three, and senior center fielder Fran Torraca singled, homered , scored twice and drove in two runs Monday, as the Immaculata High School softball team claimed a 5-1 victory over Somerville at North Branch Park.

Somerville (7-10), which was missing three starters Monday, opened the scoring, getting a two-out walk to Gillian Belkin in the first inning and an RBI triple from Christina Tonks. But Immaculata got the run right back, as Torraca homered to start the bottom of the first, blasting one to deep center field.

Immaculata went ahead in the bottom of the third inning, getting a one-out double from Ava Travaglione, who went to third on a wild pitch, and, after a walk to Olivia Cozzi, Jackie Zayle reached on an infield single to knock home the run. The next hitter popped out, before Chelsea DeMartini hit a slow roller to third base, which was picked up by Carly Moroney, who flipped it to catcher Grace Jensen to nail the runner at the plate.

Somerville freshman righty Caroline Striele, who did a solid job, despite the loss, allowed just a two-out double in the fourth and a two-out walk in the fifth to keep her team within striking distance, but Immaculata put up three in the bottom of the sixth to pull away, getting RBI singles from Torraca and Trish Nee after a leadoff double by Becca Zayle, who finished with two hits.

Striele notched two of Somerville’s four hits, finishing 2-for-3, while Tonks’ first-inning triple and Jess Pinho’s sixth-inning single were the only other blemishes on Novak’s line.

“It was a good way to come off our loss the other day,” said Novak, whose seventh-seeded team dropped a heartbreaker in nine innings at No. 2 Watchung Hills on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Somerset County Tournament. “The team really came together. Some pitches were working, other weren’t working, but overall it was a very good day.”

Immaculata improved to 5-11 with the victory, claiming its fifth win in eight outings after an 0-8 start. Getting some relief after a brutal early-season schedule, both in and out of conference, certainly helped, but it’s also the emergence of the Spartans offense, led by Torraca, as well as the progression of its senior ace, that’s helped Immaculata get turned around.

“Gianna has been the difference,” Immaculata coach Frank Ur said. “She’s been finishing games. We didn’t close out games in the beginning of the year, but she’s getting stronger as the years been going on. I’d say her last two games have been her strongest. We’re getting better at the right time. And Fran, she’s been hot the last six or seven games, and if the top of the order gets on we get moving and everything falls into place.”

“We’ve been able to hit a lot more, and that’s really what we work on in practice, hitting, hitting, hitting, because that’s what we need,” Novak said. “We have great fielders, my girls are always behind me with defense, and I think we’ve just come together a lot more recently.”

Hillsborough 19, Watchung Hills 7 (5 innings): Grace Cofino went 4-for-5 with a double, three runs and four RBIs, and winning pitcher Julia Kwiatek singled, doubled twice and drove in four runs as Hillsborough rolled past Watchung Hills in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division game. Karlie Manco went 4-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs and Kelsey Galevich chipped in a single, double and three RBIs for the Raiders (13-3). Izzy Definis picked up two hits and two RBIs and Dani LaCanna knocked in two runs for Watchung Hills (12-4).

Ridge 5, Voorhees 0: Mia Robb fired a nine-hit shutout, walking none and striking out nine, and Kristin MIscia posted a single, two runs and two RBIs, putting her one away from No. 100 for her career, as Ridge rolled. Annabelle Hamilton went 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Red Devils (10-6). Sarah Furka collected three hits and Nina Lewis singled twice for Voorhees (10-8).

Gill St. Bernard’s 4, North Plainfield 1: Claire Brouillard picked up two hits, a run and two RBIs, earning the victory by allowing just a run on five hits, walking none and fanning seven, as Gill St. Bernard’s moved to 11-3. Dani Towle notched two hits and two runs in the victory, while Grace Beveridge singled and drove in one for the Knights. Anna Joseph picked up two hits and a run and Ayah Elsais doubled and drove in a run for North Plainfield (3-10). Aliyah Graham added a single and double for the Canucks.

Montgomery 20, Franklin 0 (3 innings): Julia Loffredo singled, homered and drove in five runs, and Samantha Mallen singled twice and knocked in four runs, as Montgomery improved to 12-6. Tori Ferraiolo allowed just two hits and struck out six in the three-inning shutout. Janally Diaz and Lisette Azocona each singled for Franklin (0-13).

Westfield 6, Sayreville 2: Genevieve Howell singled, doubled twice, scored two runs and drove in two more, and Bridget Hyland went five shutout inning for the win, allowing five hits, no walks and striking out four to boost Westfield. Natalie Petterson finished 3-for-3 with a double and a run and Hyland added two hits, a run and an RBI for the Blue Devils (10-9).

New Egypt 12, South Hunterdon 2: Kayla Kilmer singled and drove in a run, while Alana Cantazareti and Rebecca Phillips each chipped in a single and a run for South Hunterdon (9-6).

New Providence 7, Plainfield 6: Hanna Giedratis singled, scored two runs and knocked in two more, and winning pitcher Morgan Connolly collected two hits, a run and an RBI, as New Providence erased a 6-0 deficit with two runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth and improved to 5-7. Kayla Brice went 3-for-4 with a run and two RBIs and Karelis Acosta singled and drove in two for the Cardinals (7-6), who scored a run in the first inning and five in the second.